“I'm trying to lead the NCAA in free-throw attempts,” Nash said. “I'm just taking what the defense gives me. And I'm playing with my teammates. My teammates give me the ball in good situations, and when you have a scoring mentality, then defenses can't stop you. All they can do is foul you.”

Nash is connecting on 85.4 percent of his free throw attempts, a 12.4 percent improvement over his freshman season.

“I'm glad to hear him say that, about leading the country in free throws, because it's something he and I have talked a lot about,” Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said. “He should be shooting 10 or 11 free throws a game. And he can make eight or nine of those. That tells me, if he's getting to the foul line, not only is he getting points, it tells me his mind is right. Because he's playing to his strengths.”